New Orleans narrowly escaped Gustav, a category 2 hurricane at landfall on September 1st. Ike was a very destructive category 2 storm with landfall on Galveston Island on September 13th. Ike featured a ferocious storm surge for a Category 2 storm which got the experts to rethink storm surge and the Saffir Simpson Scale.

These names join the list of other retired storms. Names like Andrew, Katrina and Rita will be forever etched in the memory of those along the Gulf coast.

Let’s hope there are no more retired hurricane names from this year’s list.

On the home front, look for a typical early May weather pattern. The jet stream riding overhead will send little impulses our way this week. Each one will bring a chance of showers.The first one arrives overnight and early Tuesday. Daytime highs will depend on exact timing of the clouds with these waves and sunshine. If we get sun in the afternoon, we may see more 70’s in southern Minnesota this week. Look for highs mostly in the 60’s up north this week.

About the blogger

Paul Huttner is chief meteorologist for Minnesota Public Radio. Huttner has worked TV and radio stations in Minneapolis, Tucson and Chicago. Paul is a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul and holds a bachelor’s degree in geography with an emphasis in meteorology.